Article of luggage with removable media components

ABSTRACT

This invention provides an article of luggage comprising one or more removable media components compatible with a personal media device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of articles of luggage. More, particularly, this invention relates to an article of luggage comprising one or more removable media components compatible with a personal media device. Such components include devices for playing audio or displaying video.

Personal media devices (i.e. MP3 players, portable dvd players, tape players, compact disc players, digital cameras, personal digital assistants (PDAs), etc.) are commonplace in today's society. However, these personal media devices are not without their shortcomings. For example, many of these devices are designed for use by one person at a time. These devices also often do not have the capability of being accessed and used when being transported in a piece of luggage or carrying case. Many of these personal audio devices are also susceptible to external and internal damage.

The present invention is an article of luggage comprising one or more removable media components.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention provides article of luggage comprising one or more removable media components compatible with a personal media device.

The advantages and features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following description of the invention. The invention may be best understood by reference to the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1

Front view of an embodiment of the claimed invention. Figure shows the front view of a backpack. In this embodiment, a removable personal audio player 1 is carried at the base of the shoulder strap and connected via a removable wire 2 to a removable control device 3 located higher on the shoulder strap. The personal audio player is also connected via removable wire 4 to a removable speaker system located on the back of the backpack.

FIG. 2:

Rear view of the embodiment of the claimed invention from FIG. 1. The rear view shows the removable wire 4 connecting the removable personal audio player located on the shoulder strap on the front of the backpack to the removable speaker system 5 located on the back of the packpack. In this embodiment, the removable speaker system consists of two speaker drivers 6 and a vent opening 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, specific embodiments will herein be described in detail, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an example of the principles of the invention and not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments shown and described.

This invention provides an article of luggage comprising one or more removable media components compatible with a personal media device. Suitable articles of luggage include, but are not limited to, a briefcase, backpack, messenger bag or purse. Examples of personal media devices include, but are not limited to, MP3 players, portable dvd players, tape players, compact disc players, digital cameras and personal digital assistants (PDAs).

Examples of a suitable media component include, but are not limited to, a speaker or speakers, a battery or power source, a controller or control panel and a display unit or screen.

In one embodiment, the article of luggage comprises an exteriorly-located control panel. This control panel allows one to access and control the personal media device without directly accessing said device. In the preferred embodiment, the integrated control panel will provide all or some of the commands as the control panel on the personal media device. In one embodiment, the controls are accessed via push buttons. In one embodiment, one function is associated with pushing one button. In another embodiment, one function is associated with pushing two or more buttons simultaneously.

In one embodiment, the article of luggage comprises a display screen. The display screen can show, but is not limited to, the controls, playlist, current song or video and menu options. In another embodiment, the display screen can show the video output of the personal media device. For example, a screen on article of luggage will be capable of displaying or reproducing, but is not limited to, a movie being played on a connected dvd player, still pictures stored in a connected digital camera or the screen of a connected PDA device.

In another embodiment, the article of luggage comprises a speaker or speakers. In the preferred embodiment, the speaker comprises the speaker driver and an enclosure. In one embodiment, the enclosure consists of one piece of material. In another embodiment, the enclosure consists of two or more pieces of material, e.g., a clamshell design. In one embodiment, the material is thermoformed. In another embodiment, the multiple pieces of material are attached using adhesive or tensile methods.

Suitable acoustic materials are materials that are (i) stiff, i.e., the material is stable with variations in air pressure created by the speaker and (ii) well damped, i.e., if distorted by air pressure, the material is capable of returning to its original position without resonating. One skilled in the art would understand that a suitable acoustic material for the subject invention would be one stiff and well damped enough to produce a high quality audio output, yet flexible enough to resist damage (e.g., cracking of the enclosure). A flexible material can be, for example, a material capable of being slightly distorted by hand over a range of ambient temperatures. Examples of acceptable materials include, but are not limited to, EVA, PE sheets, PVC or PET blister or clamshell trays. In one embodiment, the enclosure consists of one type of material. In another embodiment, the enclosure consists of two or more types of material. For example, the enclosure can consist of (i) a rigid inner material so as to enhance audio quality and (ii) a flexible or padded outer material so as to protect the speaker and enclosure itself.

In one embodiment, the enclosure comprises ridges, buttresses, internal reinforcements or other structural properties and configurations capable of enhancing the acoustic output of the speaker. These characteristics can also serve to improve protection of the speaker and enclosure. In another embodiment, the enclosure comprises an opening, e.g., a vent tube, capable of enhancing the quality of the audio output of the personal audio player. The opening can be uncovered, or covered by a material that allows sound to pass through with little or no distortion or dampening of sound.

The size of the enclosure will depend on the size of the speaker driver to be attached. In one embodiment, the enclosure is of a size so as to optimize the quality of the acoustic output of the speaker driver. One skilled in the art would be able to determine without undue experimentation the proper size of the enclosure for a particular speaker driver.

In one embodiment, the speaker enclosure can be padded or insulated to protect the contents from shock, temperature, water, dust or other potentially damaging conditions.

In one embodiment, the media components are integrated, yet removable from the article of luggage, i.e., the media components can be securely attached to the article of luggage, but also easily removed or transferred into another piece of luggage or carrying case. The means for attachment will be such as to allow the media components to be manually removable from and manually attachable to the article of luggage. “Manually removable”, as used herein, means the media components can be detached and removed from the article of luggage without the use of any tool; similarly, “manually attachable”, as used herein, means the media components can be attached to the luggage without the use of any tool. Examples of such means of attachment include, but are not limited to, a Velcro™ strip, straps, a zipper and pockets. The ability to add and remove media components to and from the article of luggage allows one to customize the article of luggage based on the electronic media device to be attached.

In another embodiment, the article of luggage comprises a duct positioned to accept a vessel of transport. Examples of a suitable vessel of transport include, but are not limited to, a cable, wire, connector, and tube.

In one embodiment, the duct is part of a system of ducts throughout the article of luggage. In another embodiment, the system is such that the ducts are isolated (e.g. the contents of one duct are not in contact with the contents of another duct) from one another. In one embodiment, the ducts are padded or insulated in order to protect the contents within. In another embodiment, the ducts are isolated until connected via an aperture. In one embodiment, the ducts can be exposed to allow for easier insertion of a vessel of transport. For example, a duct located within the shoulder strap of a backpack can be exposed by removing a strip of material attached over the duct via Velco™.

The cables, wires, connectors, tubes or other vessels of transport contained with these ducts are capable of transporting any suitable material or data. Examples of material or data that can be transported via the ducts include, but are not limited to, food, liquids, and electronic data.

In another embodiment, the ducts are connected to one or more carrying enclosures. In one embodiment, the carrying enclosure is a pouch or pocket located on the article of luggage. In one embodiment, the carrying enclosure is sealable. Examples of methods for sealing a carrying enclosure include, but are not limited to, snaps, Velcro™, zippers and magnets. In one embodiment, the carrying enclosure comprises a transparent window to allow viewing of the contents inside. In one embodiment, the carrying enclosure is detachable. In another embodiment, the carrying enclosure is insulated or padded to protect the contents within.

In one embodiment, the duct system is such that an item within the carrying enclosure is able to be accessed or controlled at another location. In one embodiment, a controller is attached to the article of luggage at a location other than the location of the carrying enclosure. In one embodiment, the controls are accessed via push buttons. In one embodiment, one function is associated with pushing one button. In another embodiment, one function is associated with pushing two or more buttons simultaneously. For example, a device carried in a pocket at one location of the article of luggage can be connected via its interface to a wire running through a duct, allowing the user to access and control the device at the another location on the article of luggage. Examples of suitable devices for the claimed invention include, but are not limited to, cellular phones, compact disc players, MP3 players or other digital format audio players and audio cassette players. In one embodiment, the controller comprises all or some of the functions that appear on the audio device, for example, play, rewind, fast forward, skip, pause and volume control. In another embodiment, the controller comprises all or some of the functions that appear on the cellular phone, for example; dial, answer call and end call. In another embodiment, the article of luggage comprises a speaker or speakers. The duct system in the article of luggage is then capable of carrying a wire connecting a personal audio device to a portable speaker or speakers located on the article of luggage. In another embodiment, the article of luggage comprises a display, e.g. an LCD screen. The duct system in the article of luggage is then capable of carrying a wire connecting a personal electronic device to the screen located on the article of luggage.

In another embodiment, the duct system enables the internalization of a wire for an electronic device. For example, a personal audio device can be carried in a pocket located on the article of luggage. The wire connecting the headphones to the personal audio device can be placed within a duct such that the wire travels through the duct until it exits it at a more convenient location, thus eliminating the problem of a loose, exposed wire. For example, in one embodiment, the duct is positioned to carry a wire from an electronic device in a carrying enclosure to a location on the article of luggage which is in close proximity to the ear of the subject carrying the article of luggage.

In another example, food or liquid contained in a carrying enclosure can be drawn (e.g. via suction) through a tube in the duct, allowing the user to conveniently eat or drink without removing the food or liquid from the carrying enclosure.

Accordingly, it is intended that the present invention embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the scope of the appended claims. 

1. An article of luggage comprising one or more removable media components compatible with a personal media device.
 2. The article of luggage of claim 1, wherein the media component is a speaker, power source, a controller, or a display.
 3. The article of luggage of claim 2, wherein the article of luggage comprises on its exterior a control panel for the personal media device.
 4. The article of luggage of claim 3, wherein the integrated control panel provides all of the commands as the control panel on the personal media device.
 5. The article of luggage of claim 3, wherein the controls are accessed via push buttons.
 6. The article of luggage of claim 2, wherein the speaker comprises the speaker driver and an enclosure.
 7. An article of luggage comprising one or more of the following: a speaker, a power source, a controller and a display, wherein the speaker, power source, controller and display are removable from the article of luggage.
 8. The article of luggage of claim 1, wherein the article of luggage further comprises a duct positioned to accept a vessel of transport. 